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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR Picraux

DATE TYPED 3/9/05

HB 638/aHJC

SHORT TITLE Reimbursement for Pharmacist Services

SB

ANALYST Wilson

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY05

FY06

FY05

FY06

See Narrative

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Public School Insurance Authority (PSIA)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of HJC Amendment

The House Judiciary Committee amendment corrects the heading of 59A-47-28 from

COVERAGE FOR SERVICE OF CHIROPRACTOR to PHARMACIST AND PHARMACIST

CLINICIAN.

Synopsis of Original Bill

House Bill 638 expands the definition of “practitioner of the healing arts” in health insurance

plans to include pharmacists and pharmacist clinicians.

Significant Issues

This bill will allow recognition of and reimbursement to pharmacists for medical services per-

formed under the scope of their license. Pharmacist functions now include cognitive services,

testing for osteoporosis, cholesterol screenings, as well as the prescribing and administering of

immunizations.

This bill will have a very positive impact on healthcare access in New Mexico.

House Bill 638/aHJC-- Page 2

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

Pharmacist services will be provided in lieu of physician and laboratory services, which are al-

ready covered by many health insurance plans. PSIA already provides coverage for vaccines

provided by certified pharmacists.

Most of the services currently offered by pharmacists and pharmacist clinicians are preventative

in nature. In the long run, preventative care saves money as well increasing the health of the in-

sureds. In addition this bill will improve access to the preventative care.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

Health plans including the ones administered by the State for active employees, retired employ-

ees and employees of the public schools will need to update their provider databases to include

pharmacists.

TECHNICAL ISSUES

The PSIA provided the following:

On page 1, lines 23 and 24, it seems redundant to mention “pharmacist, pharmacist clinician”

specifically, as they are being added to the definition of “practioner of the healing arts” on page

3, lines 15 and 16.

On page 12, line 11, heading should read “COVERAGE FOR SERVICE OF PHARMACIST

OR PHARMACIST CLINICIAN” instead of “CHIROPRACTOR”

DW/yr:njw